Is the ‘glass half-empty’ drowning our efforts in Global Health?

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

In the 18 months since the 2011 UN High Level Meeting (HLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), increasing discussion has surrounded this vast and growing epidemiological burden. Diabetes, heart diseases, cancers and lung diseases, fuelled by the obesity epidemic and alcohol and tobacco consumption (among others), are now the leading cause of death worldwide. A burden expected to double by 2030.

Yet despite increasing discussion and advocacy, progress has been slow and many now fear that progress will stall. One key reason for this is the perceived overwhelming nature of the NCD burden. The current narrative that sees NCDs framed as an impossible epidemic, a coming tsunami of disease or an economic and social threat.

It’s time to flip this around. Time to see the glass half-full and focus on the opportunities – not the doom and gloom.